James Gunn has revealed that “Godzilla Minus One” served as a major creative influence on his upcoming “Superman.”
Gunn pointed to the acclaimed 2023 Japanese kaiju drama as a benchmark for the tone he was aiming to strike on his upcoming Man of Steel epic.
My goal was to make a film like “Godzilla Minus One,” which depicted Godzilla but also had great human drama. There is a human story at the root. The relationship between Clark Kent and Lois Lane, and Lex Luther is the core of the work.
It’s a telling comparison; ‘Minus One’ was lauded not only for its visual effects and kaiju action but also for its deeply human story set against the backdrop of postwar Japan.
No surprise, Gunn’s “Superman” will feature a giant kaiju—a massive monster that Superman confronts during the story. The creature has been teased via promotional materials and toy releases. These suggest a significant battle between Superman and the kaiju.
Gunn’s implication is clear: Superman won’t just be about a godlike alien soaring through the skies—it will also focus on the grounded, emotional weight of being human.
Gunn isn’t the first notable filmmaker to profess his admiration for ‘Minus One.’ Other directors who have raved about the film include Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Bong Joon Ho, John Carpenter, Gareth Edwards, Jeff Nichols and Guillermo del Toro.